IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.
Describe a piece of clothing that you have recently received as a gift.
You should say:
- what type of clothing it is
- when you have received it
- who has given it to you
and explain how this gift was important to you.
[Instruction: You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you’re going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
Model Answer 1:
Like everybody else, I like receiving gifts whether there is an occasion for it or not. But, of course, receiving it on a special occasion makes it even more special.
Now, please don’t get me wrong when I say that I am rather sceptical about receiving clothing items as gifts, mainly because they don’t quite fit me most of the time. And even when those clothing gift items fit me, I usually find them way off base from my personal taste. In fact, there have only been two people in my whole life who could really pick out the best clothes that I like with consistency. One of them is my mother, and the other one is an uncle of mine. All other people fail for the most part when it comes to picking up a perfect clothing gift item for me.
But, a couple of months ago, one of my co-workers surprised me with his pick of a winter jacket, which he gave me as a gift on my 26th birthday. To be honest, this was one of the best winter jackets I had ever seen up until that point. It not only fits me perfectly, but also looks very classy and elegant with its distinguished, shiny navy blue colour. Just from the look of it, one could easily understand that it is an expensive jacket, which has been made with some top-class fabrics. On top of that, it is also waterproof and light to carry. By the way, I became so happy with the gift from my co-worker that I actually promised him to buy a perfect gift for him at a later time.
Anyway, the winter jacket has been an important clothing item for me, mainly because it not only help me feel comfortable during the winter but also allows me to make a fashion statement to other people. Besides, the gift has brought back some sort of confidence in other people who wanted to offer me clothing items as a gift!
Model Answer 2:
Introduction:
Without any doubt, this is an interesting topic, and thank you for that. I’m glad to get the chance to talk about it. For this topic, I’d like to describe a piece of clothing I recently received as a gift, and it actually meant quite a lot to me.
What type of clothing it is:
It’s a stylish navy-blue jacket, something I can wear both casually and on slightly formal occasions. It has a simple but elegant design, with a comfortable fit and good-quality fabric.
When you have received it:
I received it about a month ago, just before a special family gathering. The timing was perfect because I didn’t have anything new to wear for that event.
Who has given it to you:
My elder sister gave it to me as a gift. She knows my taste quite well, so she picked something that matches my style perfectly.
And explain how this gift was important to you:
This gift was important to me for a couple of reasons. First, it was very practical because I’ve already worn it several times, and it always makes me feel confident. But more importantly, it had emotional value. My sister actually put thought into choosing something I would like. To be honest, every time I wear that jacket, I’m reminded of her and the effort she made.
Sample Answer 3:
I have got a beautiful suite from my dad marking my 20th birthday this year. It was a nicely made suit with the finest clothing. The fabric was pretty, and the colour was impressive. I felt lucky to have that on my share. This seems like a nice candidate task card topic, and I am very glad to describe the gift in short.
I received the suit on the evening before my birthday party began. My dad rushed home and asked me to meet him in his room. I knew that he was trying to surprise me with something. But I did not understand that this would be a nice piece of a suit. In fact, it was my idea that he would bring the suit for me. I did not know how he got the measurement of my body, as the suit took me in perfectly. My father is an interesting man. He loves to surprise people. But most of the time, the people whom he is trying to surprise get ideas about the surprise. So, he is unable to surprise them in most of the cases. But in this case, I was really surprised, and my dad was happy to complete his mission. He gave me the costume, and it cost him a lot, I know.
Of course, it was an extraordinary gift to me. It was from my father, whom I adore the most in my life. Besides, it was my birthday gift from him. So, definitely, this was an important gift for me. Moreover, the suit was made of the colour I really like. It was dark blue and sewn by a renowned and specialised tailor of the city. I have been using the suit to attend formal occasions and take the right care of it.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
This topic asks you to describe a piece of clothing that you have recently received as a gift. You should clearly mention what the item is, when you received it, who gave it to you, and why it is important to you. To make your answer more engaging, try to describe the appearance, colour, occasion, and emotional value of the gift. You can also explain how often you wear it and how it makes you feel when you use it. Here are a few ideas to help you develop your response in a natural and meaningful way.
1. A formal shirt:
Recently, I received a formal shirt as a gift from my elder brother on my birthday. It was a neatly designed shirt in a soft colour that suits formal occasions. I received it a few months ago during a family celebration. This gift is important to me because I can wear it during interviews and important events, and it reminds me of my brother’s support.
2. A traditional outfit:
The clothing item I received was a traditional outfit, which my parents gave me during a festival. It was beautifully designed with cultural patterns. I got it during a recent celebration. This gift is meaningful because it connects me with my cultural roots and makes me feel proud when I wear it.
3. A jacket:
I recently received a stylish jacket from one of my close friends. It was given to me during the winter season. The jacket is comfortable and looks modern. It is important to me because it keeps me warm and reminds me of our friendship.
4. A pair of shoes:
The clothing item I received was actually a pair of shoes given by my cousin. I got it during a family gathering a few weeks ago. The shoes are both comfortable and fashionable. This gift is important because I use it regularly, and it always reminds me of that occasion.
5. A hoodie:
I received a hoodie as a gift from my best friend recently. It was given to me casually when we met after a long time. The hoodie is soft and perfect for daily wear. It is important to me because it feels comfortable and represents our strong friendship.
6. A scarf:
The clothing item I received was a scarf from a family member during winter. It was warm and nicely designed. I received it a few months ago. This gift is important because it is both useful and thoughtful, especially during cold weather.
7. A T-shirt:
I recently received a T-shirt from a friend as a casual gift. It was given to me during a meetup. The T-shirt has a unique design and fits me well. I find it important because I wear it often, and it reminds me of a pleasant moment.
8. A sweater:
The clothing item I got was a sweater given by my mother. I received it at the beginning of winter. It is warm and comfortable. This gift is important because it shows my mother’s care and concern for me.
9. A formal suit:
I received a formal suit as a gift from my father recently. It was given to me for a special occasion. The suit is elegant and suitable for professional settings. It is important to me because it helps me feel confident and prepared for important events.
10. A pair of jeans:
The clothing item I received was a pair of jeans from my friend. I got it recently during a casual hangout. The jeans are comfortable and stylish. This gift is important because I wear it frequently and it reminds me of our friendship.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card:
Apparel: Items of clothing.
Example: I was pleasantly surprised when I unwrapped the package and found a high-quality piece of athletic apparel.
Attire: Clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion.
Example: The gift was a beautiful silk scarf that serves as the perfect accessory for formal attire.
Sentimental value: The importance of an object based on the memories or feelings associated with it.
Example: Beyond its price tag, this jacket holds immense sentimental value because it was a graduation gift from my parents.
Breathable: (Of fabric) admitting air to the skin and allowing sweat to evaporate.
Example: The shirt is made from a breathable linen fabric, making it ideal for the humid summer months.
Versatile: Able to be used for many different purposes or in many different ways.
Example: It is such a versatile garment that I can wear it to a professional meeting or a casual dinner.
Tailored: (Of clothes) smart, fitted, and well cut.
Example: The coat has a tailored fit that makes it look much more sophisticated than my other clothes.
Chic: Elegantly and stylishly fashionable.
Example: My sister has a great eye for fashion, so she picked out a very chic blouse for my birthday.
Token of appreciation: A gift or gesture that shows gratitude or affection.
Example: My mentor gave me this tie as a token of appreciation for my hard work on the recent project.
Durable: Able to withstand wear, pressure, or damage; hard-wearing.
Example: I appreciate that the boots are made of durable leather, as I plan to wear them for many years.
Aesthetic: Concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty.
Example: The minimalist aesthetic of the sweater aligns perfectly with my personal style preferences.
Complement: A thing that contributes extra features to something else in such a way as to improve or emphasise its quality.
Example: The deep blue colour of the cardigan really helps to complement the rest of my wardrobe.
Timeless: Not affected by the passage of time or changes in fashion.
Example: A well-made trench coat is a timeless piece that will never go out of style.
Garment: An item of clothing.
Example: This is easily the most comfortable garment I own, thanks to the soft wool lining.
Meticulous: Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.
Example: The meticulous stitching on the pockets shows just how much care went into making this piece.
Texture: The feel, appearance, or consistency of a surface or a substance.
Example: I love the soft, velvety texture of the fabric; it feels incredibly luxurious against the skin.
Invaluable: Extremely useful; indispensable.
Example: Having a warm, waterproof jacket has been invaluable during this unusually rainy season.
If you prepare for the topic “Describe a piece of clothing that you have recently received as a gift”, you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe an item of clothing that someone gave to you.
2) Describe an item of clothing that someone bought for you.
3) Describe a present or gift that someone gave you that you really liked.
4) Describe your favourite item of clothing.
5) Describe a gift you recently gave to someone.
6) Describe something you once received for free.
7) Describe a piece of expensive clothing which you have bought lately.